Settled concrete is a common occurrence that many property owners deem a low priority repair. But putting off repairing damaged, sunken, cracked or a settled concrete slab can set you up for more significant, costly repairs in the future. Here’s why:
1. Drainage Issues Lead to Foundation Damage
Settled concrete slabs can cause improper water drainage. When it rains, snows, or freezes, water can pool in low spots of a concrete slab. This can not only lead to further sinking or cracking concrete slabs due to long term moisture exposure, but it can also cause foundation damage. Rainwater, if not properly controlled and diverted, can inflict an enormous amount of damage on a property’s foundation, posing a serious risk to its structural integrity.
Repairing a property’s damaged foundation is likely to be more costly than keeping up with a cracked concrete slab, so it’s worth adding to your property repair to-do list as soon as possible.
2. Hazards and Liabilities
Cracked or settled concrete is a major trip hazard and one of the main reasons why this repair should be considered critical and taken care of quickly. Unlevel surfaces are nearly guaranteed to cause someone to slip, trip, or fall at some point, which could lead to serious injuries. Because the damaged concrete is part of your property, you could be held liable if someone is injured due to negligent maintenance.
Again we have an example of a situation where a small, easily remedied problem could grow into a much larger and more expensive one. Depending on your state, you could be on the hook to pay for someone’s medical bills in addition to any lost wages, which would likely add up to more than it would cost to repair your damaged concrete slab.
In addition to mitigating concerns about serious hazards for yourself and anyone visiting your property, you can also avoid common annoyances that come with living with damage concrete. For instance, it’s difficult to ride a bike, push a stroller, or shovel snow on an uneven or damaged surface. Save yourself the trouble and fix these issues before they become a real problem.
3. Property Value and Curb Appeal
Damaged concrete is unsightly, and typically the less maintained and attractive your property is, the less likely you are to get full value if you decide to sell it. Concrete cracks and unlevel slabs often signal buyers to other problems as well, so you may have trouble even finding someone interested in your property. Real Estate experts frequently advise clients to repair cracked or settled concrete before attempting to sell. Even if you’re not selling your home now, it’s worth taking care of as soon as possible to avoid more potentially costly repairs later if you change your mind.
What Are My Repair Options?
There are a few minimally invasive and cost-effective solutions to repair your uneven, cracked concrete. Foam jacking is a popular and fast options for lifting a settled concrete slab. The process is non-disruptive and uses only dime-sized small holes into the affected concrete slab to inject a material into underlying soil voids below the slab. This process lifts the settled concrete slab back to its original, level position and helps to ensure that your property remains safe, structurally sound, and visually appealing.
Foam jacking can be used to lift settled sidewalks, driveways, walkways, floors, garages, and foundations. Polyurethanes by NCFI are the perfect solution for these applications.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about your options and schedule a free consultation with a qualified concrete repair specialist in your area.
